Southern Bali it is a region Indonesian in the island of Bali.
To know
This is the most visited area of Bali. Here is the airport and the large area of Kuta which comprises Legian is Seminyak. The southern part of the airport is quieter and more classy and inclusive Jimbaran is Nusa Dua. The areas north of Seminyak along the coast to Canggu and Tanah Lot are more rural but are rapidly developing. Sanur, on the opposite coast, is mostly frequented by older tourists.
Territories and tourist destinations
Urban centers
- Denpasar - Lively city and administrative center and commercial hub but not a tourist center.
- Jimbaran - A beach resort area with many restaurants south of Kuta.
- Kuta - The most developed area of Bali, center of parties, shopping and nightlife.
- Legian - Between Kuta is Seminyak.
- Sanur - Resort by the sea and beaches, frequented by older tourists.
- Seminyak - Quieter and more luxurious area with resorts and villas on the beach, with trendy restaurants and bars. Much of the best of nightlife has moved here.
Other destinations
- Bukit Peninsula - The rugged southernmost coast of Bali, where the cliff temple at Uluwatu is located.
- Canggu - Black sand beaches, a place for surfers and splendid rice fields.
- Nusa Dua - A luxury resort enclave.
- Tanah Lot - One of Bali's directional temples and one of the most famous golf courses in the world. The sunset here is breathtaking.
How to get
By plane
- Kuta 50,000 Rp
- Tuban 35,000 Rp
- Legian 55,000 Rp
- Seminyak 60,000 - 70,000 Rp
- Kerobokan 70,000 - 85,000 Rp
- Canggu 135,000 - 195,000 Rp
- Tanah Lot 220,000 Rp
- Tanjung Benoa 95,000 - 105,000 Rp
- Nusa Dua 95,000 - 110,000 Rp
- Jimbaran 60,000 - 80,000 Rp
- Bukit Peninsula 135,000 Rp
- Denpasar 70,000 - 100,000 Rp
- Sanur 90,000 Rp
Most tourists arrive in Bali from Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport, in the center of the southern region of the island. Despite the name, the airport is actually located between Kuta is Jimbaran, about 30 minutes from Denpasar. More information about the airport can be found in the main article of Bali.
Some hotels organize free transfers from the airport but there are also plenty of taxis. Just go out, get the ticket right after the exit, pay the fare and you will be assigned a driver. If you want to save money you can go to the main road and hail another taxi or a bemo.
By car
South Bali is easily reached by car from the north, east and west.
From Northern Bali the main road passes by Ubud in Central Bali. A drive from Ubud to Denpasar takes 20 to 30 minutes and for Kuta, Legian is Seminyak about 45 minutes.
From Eastern Bali the way is the new coastal road from Kusamba to Sanur. This has greatly speeded up travel and now Sanur you can reach it from Candidasa (for example) in about an hour.
From West Bali, the coastal road comes to South Bali via Tabanan to Central Bali. The journey from the western end of Gilimanuk lasts about 3 hours.
Ferries from Lombok they do not arrive in southern Bali. However, there are speedboats and catamarans from Lombok and from Gili Islands arrive in Benoa Harbor between Kuta is Sanur.
Both ferries and speedboats from Nusa Lembongan arrive at Sanur.
By bus
Bemos and shuttle buses connect all major tourist resorts in southern Bali to other areas of the island. These are very cheap but also very slow and sometimes require several changes.
The national company Perama It is a great option for budget travel with routes to South Bali from all other parts of the island and also from Java, Lombok and beyond.
How to get around
By car
It is not a good idea to rent a car to get around busy southern Bali, better to rent one with a driver. The drivers generally speak English and can also act as a tour guide. Renting a car from a company is more expensive than a private one, you can ask the hotel staff for some good advice. The cost typically ranges from 400,000 to 600,000 rupees for one day (10 hours), depending on how good you are at dealing and the condition of the car.
THE Taxi they are found everywhere in southern Bali and are an effective way to get around, especially during the night. Avoid taxis where the driver refuses to use the meter. The largest and most reliable company is Bali Taksi (62 361 701111) with 24 hour service. Taxi drivers generally have little change so it is better to drive around with small bills.
By motorbike
If you are looking for adventure, hop on a resident's scooter. This informal way of getting around, called ojek it's fast and inexpensive. You can also rent a scooter during your stay for around 50,000 rupees per day. Remember to always wear a helmet, for your own good and because it is mandatory. The roads are chaotic and can be very dangerous for the less experienced. If you also surf, know that there are specially modified scooters to carry the board.
What see
South Bali is associated with shopping, beaches, and parties, but it's not entirely without interesting places.
There Kuta beach. Its 5 km is one of the reasons why Bali has become one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. Although the crowds have taken away some of the charm, this is a lovely place, especially at sunset. There are several logins from Kuta, Legian is Seminyak but none more famous than the beachfront street in front of the Hard Rock Hotel (Jalan Pantai Kuta). In Legian, both the Jalan Padma and Jalan Double Six run perpendicular to the beach providing great access. Moving north towards Seminyak, the beach becomes calmer and more relaxed, particularly towards Petitenget point. From here you can access from the Petitenget temple car park (3,000 Rp) which is located on the Jalan Petitenget opposite the entrance to the Sentosa villa resort.
The Bali Bomb Memorial is a famous place on the Jalan Legian a Kuta where Paddy's Bar was located and in front of the place where the Sari Club was located (still an empty space partly at the Billabong store). It is a memorial to the 202 victims of the terrorist attack of 12 October 2002. Each year the Balinese community honors the dead and wounded with a ceremony.
Two of Bali's nine main temples are located in the southern region and are major tourist attractions. They are easily accessible both by public transport and by organized tours. Remember that to access it you must be dressed appropriately, with a "sarang" and a sash that you can buy or rent directly at the temple.
The temple of Tanah Lot (Pure Tanah Lot) is located on the west coast of the large urban area of Kuta / Legian / Seminyak and takes 45 to 60 minutes by car to reach it. The temple is located on a rock away from the shore and is said to be the work of the Hindi priest Nirartha, dating back to the fifteenth century. it is one of the most visited tourist attractions and there is always a lot of people, especially in the late afternoon before sunset. Between the car park (5,000 rupees) and the beach there are souvenir shops selling all kinds of junk. As soon as you enter the beach (10,000 rupees) you will see the temple a few meters from the shore. there is a cliff path on the south side from where you can enjoy a spectacular view at sunset, perfect for a souvenir photo.
In the diametrically opposite direction, at the southwestern end of the Bukit peninsula, is the 'Uluwatu Temple ' (Pure Uluwatu). It is located in a spectacular location, 75 meters high on a cliff above the crashing waves on the rock. Here the sunsets are an unmissable spectacle. It is said that before there was a smaller temple, but the current structure seems to have been desired by the sage Empu Kuturan in the eleventh century. Another sage from East Java, Dang Hyang Nirartha is said to have been responsible for building the reliquaries. You can visit the outer areas of the temple while the inner courtyard is only accessible during ceremonies. The temple is "inhabited" by many monkeys, very skilled and famous for stealing anything from tourists, cameras, sunglasses and so on. If they steal something from you they might return it to you in exchange for fruit, but that may then encourage them to steal again ... the locals and temple priests often help tourists in this case.
A trip to Uluwatu also gives you the chance to see the relatively quiet beaches on the west coast of the Bukit Peninsula. The most popular and easy to reach is Padang-Padang, 4 km north of Uluwatu Temple and accessible from the bridge on the main road (impossible to miss). The beach is really beautiful and wide at low tide, plus it is a favorite destination for surfers. But beware of its waters, only the most experienced swimmers should enter it.
Itineraries
- A trip to do between afternoon and evening is the one to the Uluwatu temple. Try to arrive at least an hour before sunset if there aren't too many people. You leave just after sunset to go to Jimbaran. Here you will find dozens of excellent restaurants where you can eat fish directly on the beach. After that you can safely return to the hotel or join the parties in the Kuta area.
- Go east towards Candidasa and other quiet places in the Eastern Bali.
- Discover art and culture a Ubud and the central highlands a Bedugul.
- Take a boat trip in the relaxed Nusa Lembongan for the beautiful white beaches and for surfing.
What to do
This is the most party area in Bali and probably in all of Southeast Asia. If you are looking for shorts, singles and beer then all you have to do is stay in Kuta. If you are looking for something more sophisticated then you better go to Seminyak.
Legian Beach it's a great place to go learn surfing, both in normal schools and by local children and various experienced surfers.
Seminyak it's the place to find the best spa where you can treat yourself to a bit of well-being at ridiculously low prices compared to those you find at home.
Waterbom Park in Tuban, Kuta it is one of the largest water parks in Asia and a great place to take the kids.
How to have fun
For night time entertainment, Kuta Beach it has no equal in Bali. A 7km stretch north of the original village, filled with bars, nightclubs, massage parlors and anything a thirsty tourist could wish for for a night of partying.
Another famous spot for nightlife is close to Seminyak, where you can find more relaxed and very expensive bars, restaurants and nightclubs such as Ku dé Ta and Hu'u, and Double Six, a true institution in Bali. The latter attracts a crowd of people who dance on the beach from 2am onwards and hosts some of the most famous DJs in the world. Seminyak is also home to Bali's premier gay scene, just inland towards Jalan Dhyana Pura.
For those who want to know a little about Bali's nightlife just take a look at the magazine The Beat. It comes out twice a month and contains lists of bars, clubs and reviews.
At the table
Eating fish on the beach Jimbaran is at the top of the wishes of many tourists. Order what you want and it will be grilled on the spot while you gaze at the stars over the ocean.
Seminyak it hosts some restaurants of the highest level, the clientele here is very demanding and for this reason they must always be at the top. Try the famous beachfront restaurants La Lucciola, Breeze or Ku de Ta or, further inland on Jalan Petitenget, the Sarong.
On the other hand, the markets and sellers of Denpasar should be avoided.
Tourist infrastructure
This region has a huge range of accommodation. The cheaper ones are found towards Kuta is Legian while Seminyak it is almost exclusively home to luxury hotels and villas. Sanur and its well-priced hotels are more family-friendly while Nusa Dua it's a bit higher level.
Safety
The poor state of the infrastructures (roads and public lighting) and chaotic traffic are a risk and slow down travel considerably. Wear a helmet if you take a scooter.
